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Sabah

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Sabah is a beautiful state in Malaysia.

KotaKinabalu Sabah Sabah-State-Administrative-Centre-02
KotaKinabalu Sabah Sabah-State-Administrative-Centre-02

It sits in northern Borneo. To its southwest, it borders the state of Sarawak. To the south, it meets Indonesia's North Kalimantan province. The sea lies to the north and east near the Philippines.

Haiyan 2013-11-07 1345Z (alternate, borderless)
Haiyan 2013-11-07 1345Z (alternate, borderless)

The island of Labuan sits just off the west coast. People often call Sabah the "Land Below the Wind." This is because it sits below the typhoon belt. This means it is not hit by typhoons very often.

The land in Sabah is very lush and green. It has a tropical climate with many rainforests.

Walking trail Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Walking trail Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

These forests are full of many different plants and animals. The Kinabatangan River flows through the state. It is the second longest river in Malaysia. Long mountain ranges sit on the west side.

Kundasang - Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, Sabah, Malaysia
Kundasang - Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, Sabah, Malaysia

These mountains are part of the Crocker Range National Park. The highest point is Mount Kinabalu. This peak is the highest point in all of Malaysia.

Humans have lived in Sabah for a very long time. Some people lived in the Madai-Baturong caves 20,000 to 30,000 years ago.

Madai Sabah Madai-Cave-01
Madai Sabah Madai-Cave-01

Later, Sabah had ties to the Bruneian Empire. In the 14th century, it began trading with China.

Sandakan Sabah Fishmarket-in-Sandakan-Harbour-04
Sandakan Sabah Fishmarket-in-Sandakan-Harbour-04

Chinese traders brought spices, pearls, and bird nests. They even settled near the Kinabatangan River. Some traders brought new ways of burying the dead. They used wooden coffins in local caves. This shows how many different people visited the area.

History changed many times in Sabah. In the 19th century, the British North Borneo Chartered Company arrived.

Boats and ferries in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Boats and ferries in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

During World War II, the Japanese occupied the land for three years.

Japanese civilians and soldiers, Tawao (AWM 121707)
Japanese civilians and soldiers, Tawao (AWM 121707)

After the war, it became a British Crown Colony in 1946. On August 31, 1963, Sabah gained self-governance.

Sabah during the formation of Malaysia (16 September 1963)
Sabah during the formation of Malaysia (16 September 1963)

Shortly after, it became a founding member of Malaysia. This happened on September 16, 1963.

Today, Sabah is a busy and diverse place. The capital city is Kota Kinabalu.

It is the center for the state government and business. Many people live there, with over 3.4 million in 2020. The state has many different cultures and languages. People use the sompoton, a traditional musical instrument.

Tambunan Sabah Roundabout-with Sompoton
Tambunan Sabah Roundabout-with Sompoton

The economy relies on things like oil, gas, and timber. It also grows palm oil and uses ecotourism to welcome visitors.

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🖼️ Images & Media (37)
Lagu Rasmi Sabah - Sabah Tanah Airku.ogg
File:Madai Sabah Madai-Cave-01.jpg
Madai Sabah Madai-Cave-01.jpg
File:Japanese civilians and soldiers, Tawao (AWM 121707).JPG
Japanese civilians and soldiers, Tawao...
File:Sabah during the formation of Malaysia (16 September 1963).jpg
Sabah during the formation of Malaysia...
File:KotaKinabalu Sabah Sabah-State-Administrative-Centre-02.jpg
KotaKinabalu Sabah...
File:KotaKinabalu Sabah DewanUndanganNegeriSabah-01.jpg
KotaKinabalu Sabah DewanUndanganNegeriSabah-01.jpg
File:Semporna Sabah ESSCOM-soldiers-04 (extracted).jpg
Semporna Sabah ESSCOM-soldiers-04 (extracted).jpg
File:Haiyan 2013-11-07 1345Z (alternate, borderless).png
Haiyan 2013-11-07 1345Z (alternate,...
File:Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting).jpg
Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting).jpg
File:Global Forest Change tree-cover loss year in Sabah, 2001-2024.png
Global Forest Change tree-cover loss year...
File:Walking trail Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.jpg
Walking trail Sepilok Orangutan...
File:District-Tawau Sabah Logging-Trucks-01.jpg
District-Tawau Sabah Logging-Trucks-01.jpg

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